Battle of Kinburn
Kinburn Peninsula, Dnieper-Bug estuary, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine
What happened
A British and French fleet under Admirals Edmund Lyons and Armand Bruat, including three French ironclad floating batteries, attacked the Russian fort of Kinburn, held by about 1,500 men. During the Crimean War, the allies attacked a Russian fort at the mouth of the Dnieper. France brought three new 'floating batteries', heavy gunboats covered in iron armour. Anchored close to the fort, they were hit again and again but only dented, and their guns forced the fort to surrender within about three hours.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first time armoured, ironclad warships were used in battle. It convinced the world's navies that wooden warships were obsolete and began a race to build ironclads.
What came next
In 1859 France launched Gloire, the first ocean-going ironclad warship, and Britain answered with HMS Warrior. The Russian garrison was allowed to leave without its weapons.
Did you know?
The ironclad Dévastation was hit about 75 times, but its armour was only dented.
Timeline
- 17 October 1855Ironclads help capture the fort at Kinburn.
- 24 November 1859France launches Gloire, the first ocean-going ironclad.
- 1860Gloire enters service; Britain builds HMS Warrior.
- 1860sFrance and Britain race to build armoured warships.